Former Detroit treasurer pleads the Fifth nearly 500 times as feds target him in criminal probe

A lawyer says the city of Detroit's former treasurer is the target of a criminal investigation for his work on public pension funds.

The Detroit News reports Monday that Jeff Beasley invoked his right to remain silent nearly 500 times during a recent deposition in a lawsuit by city pension funds against a businessman. A transcript quotes defense attorney Wally Piszczatowski (Pisz-uh-COW'-ski) as saying Beasley is "absolutely" the target of a federal investigation.

Beasley refused to talk about whether he requested a $100,000 donation from businessman Donald Watkins for former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's legal defense fund. He also refused to answer questions about receiving perks for his work on the city pension board.

Beasley and Kilpatrick were college fraternity brothers. Kilpatrick is under indictment on tax and fraud charges.